Using above link for your Amazoning really helps OYB!
Featured
Article
Opening Day with the Lads
November 23, 2009 - There we were, out at the Wildwood Bump, a shack on a parcel owned by one of the gang. 6 of us on 20 acres. Small but picturesque and full of deer. What would the morning bring?
Well, the corn harvest was late this year and it was all still standing on opening weekend. The deer were sleeping where they ate. So we didn't see much. One lad got a y... > Read Article
The OYB Pannier --Classy! 4 Options! $45.00 (inc. S/H) Purchase |
More
Info
The OYB Bag --The World's Only 6-Way Bag! $39.00 (inc. S/H) Purchase |
More
Info
"Silent Sports" Sample, 10/09: Rollerski Selection, Ultra running how-to, and More $0.00 (inc. S/H) Purchase |
More
Info
"Urban Velo" #15: Bike Revivers in Chicago & Philly ...& More (Sample) $5.00 (inc. S/H) Purchase |
More
Info
OYB News...and a Few Handy Items
World News, Stories & Links
What is OYB? --An HQ for Indie Outdoor Action
October 24, 2009 - Hi, I'm Jeff Potter and I herd the cats here. OYB has been celebrating thrifty independent action culture since 1991, offering 1000+ hard-to-find stories, links, books and goodies (luggage, too!) that offer the Vision Thing that anyone can afford.
Hard times aren't new. They're the base condition for folk culture and social creativity. They can even be voluntary or not noticed. Doing without some consumer "necessities" can be freeing. What's hard for one is just right for anothe... > Read Article
Donate! Help the OYB cause...
October 24, 2009 - I've had several people recently ask how they can support the OYB cause. I've been relying on my offerings of great books'n'goodies that you can't hardly get anywhere else as being the best way. "Money for stuff" is the only way I can understand making a living.
But I can accept that OYB *stuff* isn't right for everyone. Also, I don't want to ... > Read Article
The OYB Pannier --Classy! 4 Options!
October 23, 2009 - [$44.95 postpaid in USA for ONE pannier.]
Presenting the OYB International Model Perfection Pannier!
(Title courtesy of Herter!)
Dang, these items are sharp.
The base cases are high quality, very rare military surplus in very good condition---used, with nicks, scuffs, stains and rumples. They have "beausage"---the beauty of us... > More Info > Purchase
The OYB Bag --The World's Only 6-Way Bag!
October 23, 2009 - [$39, postpaid in US] The 6-Way OYB Bag is ready for action! Click on the PayPal button to the left under the picture and order away! Now available with extra options like top-straps, waterproofing and snug-mount stick! But read on, there's so much more! Hmm, this has to be about the world's longest product description, but what can I leave ... > More Info > Purchase
New OYB Luggage Patch!
October 20, 2009 - UPDATE 10/09: Here's my new LEATHER luggage patch. The stamp is done, the die is on the way. Patches in 2 weeks!
The photo is what the stampmaker sent me, showing a sample stamped in a sheet of leather. It'll be die-cut into an oval then riveted to the luggage.
The design image shows the shape and rivet locations.
It'll also functio... > Read Article
90's Flashback: OYB Ezines (Issues 7, 8, 9)
June 26, 2009 - Here's a link to the old Homepage for the OYB Ezine.
It contains the stories that ran the print issues #7 & #8, circa 1996. Many of these are presented here and there on this new website but I think quite a few are missing as well.
http://outyourbackdoor.com/OYB8/contentsnew.htm
The above Contents page misses a fair amount of the nifty con... > Read Article
Classy Vintage Salt'n'Pepper Shoulderbag
June 26, 2009 - [$18 postpaid in the USA.]
Here's a little bag I just bought a few of.
It's made of heavy salt'n'pepper canvas with a simple, stout, gorgeous centerpiece of a leather slot'n'stud closure. It's some kind of Swiss military surplus. These bags are used but in good condition.
The 48" adjustable strap extends to let the bag hang just over my h... > More Info > Purchase
Handy Power-Generating Goodies...
November 25, 2009 - In my arsenal of tools and goodies I'd like to have several ways of generating power...
*a pedal generator
*a solar cell/panel
*a wind turbine
*a stream/water turbine
Some kind of converter / storage system they could plug into.
I suppose one would ideally have a couple sizes of each of these. But for starters it would be neat... > Read
Article
Build a Sauna in Your Shack
November 24, 2009 - My pal Dave who owns the deer camp I went to last week built a sauna over the summer inside the porch of the old shack that's on the land.
It goes to show that you don't have to build an entirely separate building if you want a sauna. He took advantage of several pre-existing walls (and ceiling and floor) in the old porch.
He said if you loo... > Read
Article
Bike books of the Pro Life: "A Dog in a Hat" and "Tales from the Toolbox"
November 24, 2009 - I recently read two "underdog" bike books, "A Dog in a Hat" by Joe Parkin and "Tales from the Toolbox" by Scott Parr.
Joe Parkin was a bottom-rung pro bike racer in Europe in the late 80's. That is, he had what it took to be a worker for the best, a domestique. He also did his own local-style racing on the side -- as a pro in Belgium. All of it ... > Read
Article
Opening Day Ahoy! Where's Yours?
November 13, 2009 - I know where I'll be tomorrow...what about you?
It's "Opening Day" weekend for the lower peninsula of Michigan.
A friend recently bought 20 acres down by Hillsdale with a 2-room shack on it. He's fixed it up and we've all helped out some. Tomorrow SEVEN of us are converging on it for a real hootenanny.
Pictures to follow.
We're all spor... > Read
Article
Freaky New Hunting Tech: Crossbows and Silencers
November 13, 2009 - Here's a light and early nod to two big new developments in the world of the shooting sports.
Crossbows are now legal for hunting in Michigan. They give accuracy confidence out to 50 yards and along with quick-drop performance (via bigger broadheads due to the increased power) and possibly a convenient new small-game option. They seem like a dan... > Read
Article
Here's a Nod to CX: My First Try Coming Up!
November 13, 2009 - I was going to do my first cyclocross race a couple weeks ago but I chickened out. (Got too busy. ...Had never even practiced it.)
Anyway, it's still that time of year!
It seems like a fun sport. It's park-based. With beer.
I just ride for fun in the summer so I only get into a bit of shape by autumn. What to do? CX!
I converted my ol... > Read
Article
Wildest Bike Videos Ever: Lucas Brunelle
November 13, 2009 - Lucas Brunelle is the godfather of bike action video. He shows the over-the-top world of the messengers. He started with NYC vids and has since gone around the world shooting.
Check out both his site and his YouTubes. I think other folks put them up on YT. They often remix new music to them.
I posted about him here years ago and many alread... > Read
Article